by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

Some 700 Claremont Unified School District students walked out of classes Wednesday and marched to the intersection of Indian Hill and Foothill Boulevard for a 90-minute protest of the federal immigration crackdowns taking place in Democratically-controlled states across the nation.

Students primarily from Claremont High but also from San Antonio High and El Roble Intermediate School walked out of classes at 1:25 p.m. and remained at the intersection through the end of the school day.

Claremont High School student Marie Huerta at Wednesday’s protest. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Wednesday’s student action mirrored similar recent nationwide protests by young people and followed last week’s national walkout demonstration against Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. Many demonstrators here and across the country have taken to the streets in response to last month’s killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.

“I think everyone comes from some immigrant at some point in time, and I feel like it’s a very relevant issue to everyone whether they want to admit that or not,” said CHS junior Olive Haynes-Bendian. “I’ve seen videos everywhere about ICE and what they’re doing to individuals across the entire United States and it’s disgusting. And sure, we’re students, but we have a responsibility to say something.”

The protest and a campus sit-in were organized by CHS senior Zev Harper and others with Claremont High’s Student Union.

“One of the reasons why I’m out here is because I feel like a lot of young people aren’t participating as much in this type of activism,” said CHS junior Julia Little. “More young people need to be civically engaged.”

Chanting phrases such as “f**k ICE” and “Donald Trump has got to go,” students waved signs and grew increasingly vocal as the protest went on, climbing traffic signals, shouting through megaphones, and playing Spanish-language music.

A student scales a traffic signal at Indian Hill and Foothill boulevards during Wednesday’s protest. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

CUSD Superintendent Jim Elsasser, in sunglasses, was among the teachers and administrators who helped direct pedestrian traffic at Wednesday’s walkout demonstration. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

“It’s kind of crazy to say, but we’re the voice of the future,” Haynes-Bendian said. “We should let our voices be heard. We should let our opinions be heard, because it is our voices that have helped … forward numerous movements like the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s or women’s rights to vote, or gay marriage. This was all happening because teenagers and children spoke out and used their voices.”

CHS junior Anna Sawhill put it simply: “We’re students and we do not support what’s happening in this country.”

The issue hit home for some protesters.

“I’m here because nothing that’s happening is okay,” said Helena Ambrosio, a CHS junior. “And I want to fight for people that may not have a voice. My grandma is an immigrant and I’m here to support other people.”

Folks unaffiliated with Claremont schools were also demonstrating Wednesday.

“I am so impressed with just how many kids came out today,” said Savannah Salazar of Rancho Cucamonga. “I know that this is scary; I did this when I was 15 as well. I’m 37 now, and I know how scary it is to go out the first time. I don’t know how many first-timers there are here, but the fact that they are not backing down, they are not just allowing anything to happen gives me so much hope.”